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Kakejiku | All Movie Contents

My Beloved Japan -All In Kakejiku-

– Kakejiku is the key to unravel Japanese mystery. –
Since ancient times, Japan has been considered one of the most mysterious countries in the world.
Kakejiku is an ultimate for learning about Japan.

Kakejiku Introduction -The Art of Impermanence-

An essential aspect of the kakejiku is that it is not intended to be hung permanently; making it versatile in its placement. This means that it can be changed at frequent intervals. One of the pleasures of the kakejiku lies in selecting a suitable one, depending on occasions, guests, and seasons.

How to Display and Put Away Kakejiku

You can see how to handle a hanging scroll.

How to Get to ART NOMURA

How to Get to ART NOMURA from JR Tarumi station.
Approx. 15 minutes walk from the station.

Artist Information: Keiji Yamazaki

Keiji Yamazaki is a Japanese-style painter.
“Harmony with nature” is a recurrent theme in his paintings and he has created many excellent works.

Artist Information: Tomo Katou

Tomo Katou is a Japanese-style painter.

1947-
A member of the Nitten Exhibition
A disciple of Kibou Kodama and Gensou Okuda

Artist Information: Katsunobu Kawahito

Katsunobu Kawahito is a Japanese-style painter.

1922-
A member of the Nitten Exhibition.

Artist Information: Seihan Mori

Seihan Mori is the chief abbot of the Kiyomizu temple in Kyoto, Japan.

Mounting: Remove Old Backing Papers

– Remove Old Backing Papers –
The kakejiku is produced through several urauchi backings.

“Urauchi” is the act of applying paper to the back of paper, silk, or fabric with paste for reinforcement.

The first step in remounting kakejiku is to remove the old backing papers carefully.

Generally, there are three backing papers. They are applied in the order of “hada ura-uchi”(the first), “mashi urauchi”(the second), “sou urauchi”(the final) from the back of a “honshi” main artwork. When removing the papers, we start working on with outside, “sou urauchi”(the final) in reverse order.

When it comes to degree of difficulty, the closer to a main work, the harder it will be. Therefore, removing “hada ura-uchi”(the first backing) is most difficult since it is directly applied to a main artwork. It is also regarded as the most difficult step in the whole repair procedure.

A “hyougushi” scroll mounter focuses all of his attention on his fingertips and strips the first backing paper carefully not to damage a main artwork.

An artwork reveals its true self as each backing paper is stripped away.

Mounting: Backing (Urauchi)

– Backing –
Backing (called “urauchi”) is the act of applying paper to the back of paper, silk, or fabric with paste for reinforcement. The paper to be used is selected by the craftsman (hyougushi) depending on the effect that is trying to be achieved and the condition of the main work. In mounting a “kakejiku” (hanging scroll), the first backing called “hada-urauchi,” is applied directly onto the back of the main work. In this process, relatively thin, firm paper is used.

– Karibari and Drying –
During the process of the first backing, the main work and mounting fabric will have acquired moisture and become somewhat stretched. By applying paste to the edges, and placing the main work and the mounting fabric on a “karibari” board, stress on the main work and the mounting fabric can be adjusted, and will become flat as they dry. This way it will be possible to create a balance between the two when the main work is mounted as a kakejiku.

Mounting: Clean

– Clean –
ART NOMURA removes dirt of a kakejiku with our own, unique method. We must not spoil the antique beauty of the work that has caused its aesthetic value to grow over the years. It doesn’t always mean best to clean the work thoroughly. This is a very difficult decision.

Mounting: Reinforcement (Ore-fuse)

– Reinforcement –
Creases result from repeated rolling and unrolling of a kakejiku (hanging scroll). They are the cause of friction in fabric or the main work as well as exfoliation of the pigments. We apply infill paper to creases or cracks on the backside of the main work after initial or subsidiary backing. Narrow strips of strong but thin pieces of Japanese paper are used. This crease reinforcement strip is called “ore-fuse” or “ore-ate.” Ore-fuse is applied from the back of the backing paper. We can reinforce creases and prevent them from occuring again. This operation is very delicate and time-consuming.

Mounting: Additional Hosai (Toning)

– Hosai (Toning) –
If the condition of a work is bad, a part of the artwork may be lost. Even with a backing, the work may still appear unnatural because of extensive deterioration. After obtaining the permission of a client, we sometimes add lines or color in order to fill in lost parts on the work.
This operation is very delicate because it requires an understanding about the work, a sensitivity to colors and a specialized knowledge about painting materials.

Mounting: Tsukemawashi, Kiritsugi / Tachiawase / Mimiori

– Tsukemawashi, Kiritsugi / Cut and Join –
Cut-and-join, which is also called “tsukemawashi,” is the process by which the main work and the mounting fabric are joined to make a kakejiku. After removing the main work from the karibari board, it is adjusted into the correct rectangular shape. Then, the main work and the mounting fabric are adhered together with fresh paste, and ready to be mounted as a kakejiku.

– Tachiawase / Cutting to size –
Cutting a hanging scroll or hand scroll to size after the second backing.

– Mimi-ori / Folding over of the edge –
Also called “hashi-ori”. Folding the left and right edges of a hanging scroll back approximately 3 to 4.5 mm. This width differs according to the size of the hanging scroll. It is executed after cut-and-join and before the final backing.

Mounting: Finishing

– Finishing –
A hanging rod is attached to the top of the kakejiku, while a roller rod with knobs is attached to the bottom. Decorative fabric strips (fuutai) are sewn onto the hanging rod if necessary, and ring tacks are hammered in the rod and a hanging cord and a wrapping cord are attached.

Remounting : Flying Down Geese Kakejiku Hanging Scroll

We received an inquiry from a customer in the U.S. for remounting a flying down geese kakejiku hanging scroll. Thank you very much.

Remounting : Samurai Kakejiku Hanging Scroll

We received a repeat order from Europe: remounting a samurai kakejiku hanging scroll.

Make It Shine: Shin-mounting Style Maximized the Appeal of Calligraphy.

We received an inquiry from a customer in Switzerland for mounting a calligraphic work into a kakejiku hanging scroll.

Order from the United States: Remount Chinese Hanging Scroll

We received an inquiry from a customer in the United States of America for remounting a Chinese kakejiku hanging scroll, which is his friend’s gift.

How to Display Fuuchin (Scroll Weights)

A “fuuchin” is a pair of weights hung on a kakejiku (hanging scroll). A fuuchin, made of decorative wood or ceramic, is used to prevent a kakejiku from swinging in the wind. It is hung on “jikusaki” (the roller knobs attached to the end of a cylindrical rod at the bottom of a kakejiku), if needed. Actually, the original function of a fuuchin is being lost due to contemporary airtight houses.

Lovely Guests from U.K.

We had lovely guests from the U.K. at the end of September 2017.
They chose our hanging scrolls (kakejiku) as a Japanese souvenir.
Thank you for coming to ART NOMURA in Kobe.

Kakejiku for September - Fall/Autumn -

We have updated our gallery display for September.
This time, I will introduce some art motifs for fall/autumn through kakejiku (Japanese hanging scroll) in our gallery.

Your privacy is important to us. We are committed to protecting your privacy.

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CEO Message

Our Feelings For Kakejiku

The Japanese people have long set a high value on aesthetic senses since ancient times. As a result, the peculiar culture which is not seen in other countries blossomed and many aspects of the modern Japanese culture come from it. Parts of Japanese culture has been introduced to people in other countries recently, so the number of people from other countries who are interested in Japanese culture has been increasing. However, the Japanese aesthetic senses, which are the bases of Japanese culture, have been nurtured through a long history, intertwining various elements intricately, such as climate, geographical features, religion, customs and so on. Therefore, they are very difficult to understand not only for people from other countries, but even for the Japanese people. I think the best tool which conveys these difficult senses understandably is a “kakejiku.”
The kakejiku (a hanging scroll; a work of calligraphy or a painting which is mounted and hung in an alcove or on a wall) is a traditional Japanese art. It's no exaggeration to say that paintings are what express aesthetic senses at all times and places. The kakejiku is an art which expresses the Japanese aesthetic senses. The kakejiku has long been used in traditional Japanese events, daily life and so on since ancient times. As a result, there are various customs of kakejiku in Japan; kakejiku and the life of the Japanese are closely related. We can see Japanese values through kakejiku.
The kakejiku is a cultural tradition which the Japanese people should be proud of. However, many people in other countries don't know much about it because it hasn't been showcased as much. This is why I decided to try to introduce it. The kakejiku world is very interesting and beautiful. We want not only the Japanese, but also many people from other countries to know and enjoy it. I hope that many people will love kakejiku someday.

Art Nomura is an art dealer which produces kakejiku (hanging scrolls). We mount many paintings and calligraphic works in kakejiku in my factory. Kakejiku are our main product. We also remount and repair old or damaged kakejiku. We share the traditional Japanese art of kakejiku with people all over the world.

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Access Map

The Japanese people have long set a high value on aesthetic senses since ancient times. As a result, the peculiar culture which is not seen in other countries blossomed and many aspects of the modern Japanese culture come from it. Parts of Japanese culture has been introduced to people in other countries recently, so the number of people from other countries who are interested in Japanese culture has been increasing. However, the Japanese aesthetic senses, which are the bases of Japanese culture, have been nurtured through a long history, intertwining various elements intricately, such as climate, geographical features, religion, customs and so on. Therefore, they are very difficult to understand not only for people from other countries, but even for the Japanese people. I think the best tool which conveys these difficult senses understandably is a “kakejiku.”
The kakejiku (a hanging scroll; a work of calligraphy or a painting which is mounted and hung in an alcove or on a wall) is a traditional Japanese art. It's no exaggeration to say that paintings are what express aesthetic senses at all times and places. The kakejiku is an art which expresses the Japanese aesthetic senses. The kakejiku has long been used in traditional Japanese events, daily life and so on since ancient times. As a result, there are various customs of kakejiku in Japan; kakejiku and the life of the Japanese are closely related. We can see Japanese values through kakejiku.
The kakejiku is a cultural tradition which the Japanese people should be proud of. However, many people in other countries don't know much about it because it hasn't been showcased as much. This is why I decided to try to introduce it. The kakejiku world is very interesting and beautiful. We want not only the Japanese, but also many people from other countries to know and enjoy it. I hope that many people will love kakejiku someday.